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Essay / Cartography: an ancient art - 555
Cartography has an ancient history. From five thousand years in Mesopotamia until today, cartography has always accompanied the discoveries of humanity. Maps are still used today, but advanced technology has transformed “the very definition of the term “map.” » Traditional cartographers defined the map as “a graphic representation of the environment” (Robinson, Petchenik, 1976) or “any geographical image of the environment”. environment." (PC and JO Muehreke, 1997) However, scientists today use maps that move away from the traditional definition of the term "map"; they use maps of the brain, human DNA and even distant galaxies. Several components of a map help represent data accurately and efficiently. The scale of a map helps readers analyze the map with greater understanding. It covers a larger area, a map showing a large area is a small-scale map and a map showing a small area is a large-scale map. Furthermore, says de Blij, “the function of the map is key. of its scale". For example, global distribution maps would be small scale maps. However, maps intended for local use would be....